Fuel filler pocket

Abstract

The invention relates to a fuel filler pocket adapted to be inserted within a vehicle side panel opening in a way to surround and support a fuel tank inlet tube and wherein the pocket includes integral resilient tangs for locking the pocket within the panel opening.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A fuel filler pocket (20) of the type adapted to project within an opening (12) in a vehicle side panel (10) to surround and support the filler end of a gas tank inlet tube (16), said pocket comprising an elongated body portion (22) having an inner wall (24) and opening (26) through which the gas tank inlet tube projects and which tube includes an outer end which terminates within said body portion, the body portion (22) includes an outer opening (28) longitudinally spaced from the inner opening and adapted to be disposed proximate the side panel opening, flange means (30) formed on said body portion and surrounding the outer pocket opening (28), an inwardly recessed lip (32) formed about the side panel opening, said flange means being adapted to seat upon and be secured to the lip, the improvement comprising: a plurality of flexible tang means (34) formed in the pocket body portion (22), the outermost end (36) of each tang means terminates proximate the flange means (30), each tang means includes a generally flat main portion (42) and a tapered portion (40) adapted to coact with the panel lip to lock the pocket within the side panel opening when the flange means abut against the lip. 
     
     
       2. A fuel filler pocket as set forth in claim 1 wherein each tang means (34) is defined by a pair of slots (38) formed in the pocket body portion and extending from the outer opening (28) toward the inner opening, the lip-coacting portion (40) of the tang means being adapted to progressively engage with the lip to flex the tang means laterally inwardly as the pocket member is inserted within the panel opening. 
     
     
       3. A fuel filler pocket member as set forth in claim 2 wherein the lip-engaging tapered portion (40) of the tang means progressively inclines laterally outwardly from the main portion (42) and terminates in an end spaced laterally outwardly on the main portion, said end being longitudinally inwardly spaced from the outermost end (36) of said tang means and thereby defining therewith a notch (44), said lip adapted to extend within said notch and retain the pocket within the panel opening when the pocket flange means abut against said lip. 
     
     
       4. A fuel filler pocket as set forth in claim 2 wherein the tang means include a main portion (42) normally flush with an adjacent body portion of the pocket, the lip-coacting portion (40) of the tang means being formed on of said main portion and being longitudinally spaced from an outermost end (36) of the main portion and to form therewith a notch (44) said notch adapted to be laterally aligned with said panel lip (32) when the body portion flange means (30) abut against said lip whereby said tang can flex outwardly to lock the lip-coacting portion of the tang means beneath said lip. 
     
     
       5. A fuel filler pocket as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plurality of tang means includes at least two tangs symmetrically spaced about the outer opening (28) of said pocket body portion.